LUED

Not really an issue here in the U.K. You need to have a seriously low rating over a period of time, before they deactivate you, and even before that they will ask you to come into the office to discuss things, so you can improve your rating.

Unlike in the U.S., where they are likely to deactivate you over a minor misdemeanour, where there is a more ready supply of drivers, where in most cities, are not required to hold the same amount of licencing, drivers and cars here need. 

Renting is better when you're new, and trying the job out to see if it's for you, as there's not usually a long-term commitment, and it helps to get your cashflow going, otherwise, if you're sure you're going to do this long-term, you're better off on finance, or buying. 

They may still be taking on anybody on UberX, but at least now, before you can join Exec/Lux you have to have a rating of 4.85 or above over a thousand trips. 

When I joined, it was just a simple multiple choice test to join Exec. 

Yes, not all licence holders are continuing driving, and probably will just the licence lapse at renewal, after driving for a year or so.

Some work part-time with other jobs as well. 

Brand new 16/66 plate E-Classes on UberX, waiting at AVA to get a 75p per mile, job from Heathrow. Pool trips will be 25% less. 

Furthermore, don't forget their commission! 

Possibly, but aren't driver and vehicle licence applications up though? 

So while the admin staff who dealt with operator licenses have a decreased workload, they probably now have to deal with driver and vehicle licences instead. 

It has probably already been renewed, and sorted out. 

When my operating licence was up for renewal, TfL sent out the information needed for the renewal application about 6 months in advance. 

Took a client to Manchester United to watch a match. I can confirm that Exec min is £4, and it was surging (1.3x) as well for both X and Exec. I was also able to log on there as well (immediately logged off though - didn't want any jobs to come through). 

For Exec?

08000839885

Www.academyinsurance.co.uk

Uber don't accept Medway licences, so you will have to apply for a TfL (London) one, even though you live in Medway, it doesn't matter.

You should still be able to accept work in Medway, as the booking goes through Uber's London office, though I don't think there'll be much work there, you will have to drive towards central London, where most of the work is. However, there is still some work out in the suburbs, such as Dartford, Bexley, Sidcup, etc., so it may not be necessary to travel too far to get a first job of your shift. 

Mine is residential, as well as being a "small" operator's licence, which is likely easier to get. 

I'm not sure on the rules surrounding the different uses of the premises, and how long it had to be for. 

Because of the nature of the work I do, I was exempt from planning permission, but as mentioned, I got written confirmation of this, which was sent to TfL, when I renewed. 

Unfortunately they will, probably in the ratio of 1 Exec job to every 10 X jobs.

Also the new app seems to discourage passengers (especially new ones - many may not even know Exec exists!) to choose Exec (and Lux), as you have to swipe to see that option, and whenever they first open the app, it goes back to X by default.

It's hard and expensive to get insurance as an under-25 on a normal policy (social, domestic and pleasure), never mind getting one which includes hire and reward for the carriage of passengers as well - especially on an E-Class.

Nevertheless, try Academy Insurance, as they insured me on an E-Class when I was 24. Expect to pay at least £4,000 depending on your circumstances 

When I applied for mine, it only took a two or three months. 

However, that was seven years ago, and the regulations have tightened up since then, one of them is that you know have to obtain planning permission from your local council (or obtain, an exemption), proof of which has to be sent to TfL as part of your application. 

You can also accept X work in your Exec car. Go into the Account tab on your app, and you can change your vehicle.

You should have two vehicles, one with the reg. no. in lower case, and the other in upper case. To choose X and Exec work as well, it's usually the lower case one. 

It would be cheaper to apply for one yourself? It's £2,800 for 5 years. 

By the time your private hire licence is issued, Uber will probably start onboarding again.

In the meantime if your licence is issued before then, look for other PH firms you could work for in the mean time. 

Expect it to be fairly busy around the universities? 

On UberX, you will get paid the same rate, regardless whether you drive a Ford Mondeo, you bought 2nd hand for £4,000, or a brand new £40,000 Mercedes E-Class.. 

Depends on the person asking, if you want to continue speaking to them for the rest of the evening (or whatever situation you're in), or you just want them to go away.

If the latter, then saying  you're a minicab driver works best. Most people will ask you the usual "are you busy?", "is it good money?" etc. Just say, "I get by nicely, thanks, and it pays the bills".

Saying you're a chauffeur, (whether you are or not, if you're working for a chauffeur firm, or just drive for one client), isn't recommended, as you'll get the usual "do you/have you ever driven anyone famous?" which I find annoying (obviously, a professional wouldn't say who their client/s are to strangers), other than that, you'll get people asking what car/s you drive, where you go, and other questions which may seem impersonal and feel uncomfortable answering.

Usually on January 8th...

http://therideshareguy.com/will-uber-cut-rates-in-january-2017/

The fares outside the TfL area (Home Counties), have always been lower, since they introduced Home Counties as a new area/city. 

Apparently there's a rumour, that the older Exec drivers (who joined probably 2013-2014), who currently accept Exec work only, will have to accept X work sometime in the New Year. I can imagine a lot of those drivers (myself included) leaving. 

To do Exec work in a Lux car, at £1.80 a mile and 22.5p/minute is a joke though. 

Probably why they're inviting a lot of X drivers to upgrade to Exec/Lux - those with 1,000 trips under their belt, with a 4.85 rating or above. They know that forcing the existing Lux drivers doing Exec, and Exec doing X, are going to leave, and need to make up the shortfall. 

For someone who works 9 to 5, and you include an hours commute each way, every day for 5 days a week, that would also be 50 hours a week, seen as "working".